Scaling of spontaneous rotation with temperature and plasma current in tokamaks

Using theoretical arguments, a simple scaling law for the size of the intrinsic rotation observed in tokamaks in the absence of momentum injection is found: the velocity generated in the core of a tokamak must be proportional to the ion temperature difference in the core divided by the plasma current, independent of the size of the device. The constant of proportionality is of the order of $10\,\mathrm{km \cdot s^{-1} \cdot MA \cdot keV^{-1}}$. When the intrinsic rotation profile is hollow, i.e. it is counter-current in the core of the tokamak and co-current in the edge, the scaling law presented in this Letter fits the data remarkably well for several tokamaks of vastly different size and heated by different mechanisms.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Radiative decay of the lightest neutralino in an R-parity violating supersymmetric theory

In an R-parity violating supersymmetric scenario, the lightest neutralino $\tilde \chi^0_1$ is no longer a stable particle. We calculate the branching ratio for the decay mode $\tilde \chi^0_1 \longrightarrow \nu \gamma$ which occurs at the one-loop level. Taking into account bilinear as well as trilinear lepton number violating interactions as the sources of R-parity violation, we make a detailed scan of the parameter space, both with and without gaugino mass unification and including the constraints on the neutrino sector from the recent Superkamiokande results. This study enables one to suggest interesting experimental signals distinguishing between the two types of R-parity breaking, and also to ascertain whether such radiative decays can give rise to collider signals of the type $\gamma \gamma$ + $\not {\rm E}$ from pair-produced neutralinos.Comment: 25 pages, LaTex including postscript figures. Uses axodraw.sty. Minor typographic errors correcte

Relating the CMSSM and SUGRA models with GUT scale and Super-GUT scale Supersymmetry Breaking

While the constrained minimal supersymmetric standard model (CMSSM) with universal gaugino masses, m_{1/2}, scalar masses, m_0, and A-terms, A_0, defined at some high energy scale (usually taken to be the GUT scale) is motivated by general features of supergravity models, it does not carry all of the constraints imposed by minimal supergravity (mSUGRA). In particular, the CMSSM does not impose a relation between the trilinear and bilinear soft supersymmetry breaking terms, B_0 = A_0 - m_0, nor does it impose the relation between the soft scalar masses and the gravitino mass, m_0 = m_{3/2}. As a consequence, tan(\beta) is computed given values of the other CMSSM input parameters. By considering a Giudice-Masiero (GM) extension to mSUGRA, one can introduce new parameters to the K\"ahler potential which are associated with the Higgs sector and recover many of the standard CMSSM predictions. However, depending on the value of A_0, one may have a gravitino or a neutralino dark matter candidate. We also consider the consequences of imposing the universality conditions above the GUT scale. This GM extension provides a natural UV completion for the CMSSM.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figures; added erratum correcting several equations and results in Sec.2, Sec.3 and 4 remain unaffected and conclusions unchange

What if Supersymmetry Breaking Unifies beyond the GUT Scale?

We study models in which soft supersymmetry-breaking parameters of the MSSM become universal at some unification scale, $M_{in}$, above the GUT scale, \mgut. We assume that the scalar masses and gaugino masses have common values, $m_0$ and $m_{1/2}$ respectively, at $M_{in}$. We use the renormalization-group equations of the minimal supersymmetric SU(5) GUT to evaluate their evolutions down to \mgut, studying their dependences on the unknown parameters of the SU(5) superpotential. After displaying some generic examples of the evolutions of the soft supersymmetry-breaking parameters, we discuss the effects on physical sparticle masses in some specific examples. We note, for example, that near-degeneracy between the lightest neutralino and the lighter stau is progressively disfavoured as $M_{in}$ increases. This has the consequence, as we show in $(m_{1/2}, m_0)$ planes for several different values of $\tan \beta$, that the stau coannihilation region shrinks as $M_{in}$ increases, and we delineate the regions of the $(M_{in}, \tan \beta)$ plane where it is absent altogether. Moreover, as $M_{in}$ increases, the focus-point region recedes to larger values of $m_0$ for any fixed $\tan \beta$ and $m_{1/2}$. We conclude that the regions of the $(m_{1/2}, m_0)$ plane that are commonly favoured in phenomenological analyses tend to disappear at large $M_{in}$.Comment: 24 pages with 11 eps figures; references added, some figures corrected, discussion extended and figure added; version to appear in EPJ

Low-Energy Effective Lagrangian from Non-Minimal Supergravity with Unified Gauge Symmetry

From general supergravity theory with unified gauge symmetry, we obtain the low-energy effective Lagrangian by taking the flat limit and integrating out the superheavy fields in model-independent manner. The scalar potential possesses some excellent features. Some light fields classified by using supersymmetric fermion mass, in general, would get intermediate masses at the tree level after the supersymmetry is broken. We show that the stability of weak scale can be guaranteed under some conditions. There exist extra non-universal contributions to soft supersymmetry breaking terms which can give an impact on phenomenological study.Comment: 37 pages, Figures not include

G-protein signaling: back to the future

Heterotrimeric G-proteins are intracellular partners of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs act on inactive Gα·GDP/Gβγ heterotrimers to promote GDP release and GTP binding, resulting in liberation of Gα from Gβγ. Gα·GTP and Gβγ target effectors including adenylyl cyclases, phospholipases and ion channels. Signaling is terminated by intrinsic GTPase activity of Gα and heterotrimer reformation — a cycle accelerated by ‘regulators of G-protein signaling’ (RGS proteins). Recent studies have identified several unconventional G-protein signaling pathways that diverge from this standard model. Whereas phospholipase C (PLC) β is activated by Gαq and Gβγ, novel PLC isoforms are regulated by both heterotrimeric and Ras-superfamily G-proteins. An Arabidopsis protein has been discovered containing both GPCR and RGS domains within the same protein. Most surprisingly, a receptor-independent Gα nucleotide cycle that regulates cell division has been delineated in both Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we revisit classical heterotrimeric G-protein signaling and explore these new, non-canonical G-protein signaling pathways

Railway-induced ground vibrations – a review of vehicle effects

This paper is a review of the effect of vehicle characteristics on ground- and track borne-vibrations from railways. It combines traditional theory with modern thinking and uses a range of numerical analysis and experimental results to provide a broad analysis of the subject area. First, the effect of different train types on vibration propagation is investigated. Then, despite not being the focus of this work, numerical approaches to vibration propagation modelling within the track and soil are briefly touched upon. Next an in-depth discussion is presented related to the evolution of numerical models, with analysis of the suitability of various modelling approaches for analysing vehicle effects. The differences between quasi-static and dynamic characteristics are also discussed with insights into defects such as wheel/rail irregularities. Additionally, as an appendix, a modest database of train types are presented along with detailed information related to their physical attributes. It is hoped that this information may provide assistance to future researchers attempting to simulate railway vehicle vibrations. It is concluded that train type and the contact conditions at the wheel/rail interface can be influential in the generation of vibration. Therefore, where possible, when using numerical approach, the vehicle should be modelled in detail. Additionally, it was found that there are a wide variety of modelling approaches capable of simulating train types effects. If non-linear behaviour needs to be included in the model, then time domain simulations are preferable, however if the system can be assumed linear then frequency domain simulations are suitable due to their reduced computational demand

Critical Physical Process of Locked-Tearing Mode Control by 3D Magnetic Field Entrainment with Static Error Fields

As we reported in the IAEA 2016 [1], the application of a slowly-rotating 3D external field with the magnitude comparable to pre-existing error field can avoid tearing mode locking, achieve H-mode recovery and sustain H-mode edge while simultaneously preserving high core confinement configuration, suggesting that there a fundamental process by 3D field contributes to the MHD stability simultaneously from the core to the edge. A possible hypothesis has been proposed based on non-linear resistive reduced MHD simulations that there exists a self-healing stabilized regime with shielding out static resonant error field components by slowly-rotating 3D field [2,3]. Proof-of-principle experiments in the DIII-D device showed that the magnetic mode structure and the internal tearing mode layer radius are qualitatively consistent with the simulation predictions by taking into account of toroidicity and non-circularity. The resonant magnetic perturbation response around q=2 was minimum while the least-stable mode response was maxium around q=3 or 4 together with H-modde edge. This also supports the hypothesis. The non-linear resistive reduced MHD formulation is promising to lead the explorations of tearing mode locking avoidance by 3D external field. New observations have identidied next level of challenges for both experimental and simulation fronts